Eugene (Gene) H. Fitch

1. Eugene (Gene) H. Fitch
2. August 15, 1931 - October 8, 2025
3. 
   

STOW - Preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, he is survived by daughter, Susan; son, Gene; daughter-in-law, Nancy; grandson, Jackson and his fiancée, Molly, as well as his grandson, Drew.

Beginning in Buffalo, NY, Gene’s homes included a few places in New York, one in New Jersey, and several in Ohio.

High school classmates selected him Best Dancer and Best Dressed. He was an accomplished swimmer and baseball athlete. At Erie Tech, he played first base and graduated as a draftsman.

He met Ruth on a blind date arranged by his aunt, who worked with her mother. They danced for 67 years before she passed.

He served in the Navy as a Seabee (Construction Battalion), stationed in Morocco. Gene’s father was a self-employed carpenter. Utilizing his drafting skills, they partnered and built homes together. A friend saw him confidently walking beams and navigating trusses, which lead to a job referral. That started a 40-year career of sales and management in the elevator industry. Whenever asked about the business, he would always quip, “It has its ups and downs!” If you’ve ever traveled through the Cleveland Hopkins Airport, you’ve encountered an elevator, escalator, or moving walkway that were all his sales and builds.

We often teased that his name should be “Somebody” because he always selflessly responded to our pleas of - “Would Somebody help me with . . .” He was that kind of guy. “You need a place to get back on your feet, come live with us.” His son’s friend wanted to do Indian Guides, but his dad didn’t live in town - “I got you; you’ll be with us.” “Need a landing spot for Thanksgiving? Come to our house.”

Gene’s selflessness was limitless, and his everyday life was an example of inclusion. As a swim dad, he was the best. He spent countless weekends at the pool to cheer his kids. He didn’t want to be anywhere else.

Many great memories with him ended with the words, “Don’t tell your mother!” He had an impressive collection and knowledge of tools. Only on rare occasions were outside individuals utilized for repair services, as he did everything himself. Admirably, he had no working knowledge of what a Kardashian was. Roast beef on a Kimmelweck roll, vanilla milkshakes, Johnny Walker Red, and sponge candy were always welcomed with open arms and a smile. They were all like bumping into an old friend.

He volunteered at the New York Eye Bank, Cedar Grove Lions Club, Akron Rotary, Akron Garden Club, Akron Toastmasters, and the Lake Erie Chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. He proudly wore team gear from Akron Law School, Community Legal Aid, and Special Olympics Ohio.

Gene joked that he had a favorite daughter and a favorite son, eventually gaining a favorite daughter-in-law as well. He loved to brag about his grandsons and the people they’d grown up to be.

Gene was Somebody.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 PM, on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow 44224.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM, on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 3179 Kent Road, Stow 44224.

Private burial will be held at Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road, Seville, Ohio 44273.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the local non-profit organizations Gene proudly supported:

Special Olympics Ohio - Summit Hudson, Box 1141, Hudson, Ohio 44236 and Community Legal Aid, 50 South Main Street, Suite 800, Akron, Ohio 44308.